Apparatus for playing a game simulating golf



1936- J. slMoN 2,051,751

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SIMULATING GOLF Filed April 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 INVENI'OR LOUIS JOHN SIMON Aug. 18, 1936.

L. J. SIMON APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SIMULATING GOLF Filed April 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR O m V 5 mm m Em W w m ATTORNEYS Aug. 18, 1936. SMON 2,051,751

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SIMULATING GOLF.

Filed April 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 III ' iNVENTOR LOUIS JOHN smoN By 13am ATTORNEYS Aug. 18, 1936. L. J. SIMON 2,051,751

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SIMULATING GOLF Filed April 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 1 i will INVENTOR I LOUIS JOHN SIMON ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 18, 1936 warren, STATES APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAlVIE SIMULATING GOLF.

Louis John Simon, Barking, England Application April 6, 1934, Serial No. 719,389

in Great Britain March 21, 1933 21 Claims.

' This invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game simulating golf and has for its object to provide an apparatus which will register and show the distance of travel of the ball for each stroke, the registration being cumulative until the final hole is reached. It is also an object of the invention to provide means for showing the direction and elevation of the travel of the ball together with means for penalizing the player for improperly played strokes as well as adjustable and variable obstacles to be overcome by the player.

According to the invention the apparatus comprises a captive ball, means for returning said ball after a stroke has been made, an indicator illustrating a course to be played and means actuated by said ball when struck to show on said indicator the cumulative progress of the game, said ball actuating means operating the indicator to an extent varying with the quality of the stroke imparted to the ball.

In carrying the invention into effect according to the preferred form, the apparatus comprises a ball anchored to a cord wound upon a drum, means for'rewinding the cord upon the drum after a stroke has been made, a spring mechanism adapted to be tensioned by the said drum, an indicator for recording and showing the cumulative progress of the game, and a magnetic driving gear for actuating the said indicator, the said driving gear being controlled by acontact device driven by the spring mechanism whereby theindicator is moved to an extent varying with the tension placed upon the spring mechanism.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by Way of example a construction according to the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a plan View of the winding and spring mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the contact maker.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the moving eye.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the magnetic driving mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a side View of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a detail view of the bunker mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. '7 partly in section.

Fig. 9 is a view of the course, and Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections and switching.

In the form illustrated, a frame I for the spring motor and winding mechanism, supports a shaft 5 upon which is rotatably andslidably mounted,

a ball 4 attached to'the free endthereof, to be drawn with the ball upon impact on the latter. Upon the spindle 5is fixeda' ratchet wheel 6 and the inner end of a' spring I, a pawl ll fixedto the spindle l2 being provided to prevent reverse rotation of-the ratchet wheel 6.

Attached to the drum Zisa ratchet 93 which drives the shaft 5 through 'pin' l4 upon deenergization of the motor.

The outer end of the spring'l is attached by a pin Hi to a gear wheel's running freely on the shaft 5, the said gear wheel driving a governor 9 through a gear wheel l0. Y

Fixed to the bush l5 of the gear wheel' 8 is a disc ll having contacts llengaged by 'aspring contact I8 which isattached. to a slide l5 riding on a rod attached to a bushll fixed to the shaft 5. A pin 40 fixed to the slide I9 engages in a spiral groove 41a formedin thejdisc l1.

On the bush 2|" is an insulated ring 22 which contacts withabrush 23. a

Running freely on shaft" 5 is also a handle 24 which is used to rewind the cord 3 on to-drum 2' through ratchet 25 by depressingspring 26 which spring also keeps ratchet 13 in contact with the pin I4. An arm 21 attached to the frame I by a; pin 28, puts pressure on cord'3 by pressing it on to a block 29 when the winding handle 24'is pressed in to engage rack 25 for rewinding cord 3ondrum2.'

A switch 30 is closed by a disc 31 attached to the governor when the governor opens. The-cord 3 runs through an arm 3m which moves up and down on pin32 or sideways-through a bracket or bush fork 34 to which is attached a contact spring 35 operating on'contacts 35. In the fork 34 is a pin 31 operatinga lever 38 which in its turn operates a spring 39 acting'a's a brake on drum2; The'fork 3Q alsooperates a rod 380. which'acts also as a brake on the drum-2.

The lever 38 is fixed on a rod 39a pivoted in the frame I and operates rods 68 through lever 68a and 6901. which depresses plate 6| by engagement with an abutment 69attached thereto.

A frame 4! carries the chain or indicator mechanism consisting of magnets '42 which, through levers M and pawls 43,-operate ratchets fixedto spindles 46 to whichare attached chain wheels 41, traversed by continuous chains 48 which also run over chain wheels Ala journalled in brackets 49 attached to the frame 4i. J

Attached to the chains 48 are pointers 50. Mountedwithin the frame 4|, are rollers 5| carrying several views of a course and by rotating a rod 52, a change of view can be effected.

Sliding in slots 53 in the sides of frame 4| is a bunker mechanism G comprising a bush 54 riding in the slot 53 and carrying a bracket 55 on which is mounted a solenoid 56. Attached to bush 54, is a plate 6| having notches 62 which are engaged by the solenoid pin 63. Pivoted at 68 to the plate 6|, is an arm 58 on which is fixed a switch 59 operated by an extension piece 59a.

Mounted within the bush 54 is a rod 64 to which is attached a lever which, when the rod is rotated by a turning knob 66, engages the moving arm 58 to alter its position, its angle being.

indicated by a pointer 61.

A spring 10 attached to the plate 6| serves to keep the moving arm 58 in position, the plate 6| being kept in position by a spring 1|. Attached to the side of the frame 4| are two indicators 12 operated by contacts, 36 which indicate when a ball is played to the left or right. A change-over switch 13 is provided which switches over the electrical supply to one or the other of magnets 42. 19 is a magnet controlling mercury switch 88 which remains closed only when the disc I! is rotating.

The apparatus operates in the following manner. The cord 3 is wound on to the drum 2 by depressing the turning handle 24 which engages with drum 2 by means of ratchet 25.

The depression of handle 24 causes the end of the lever 21 to press the cord 3 on to the block 29 putting resistance on the cord during winding, and thereby ensuring the cord being wound tightly on the drum.

The change over switch 13 is switched over to one side, the other side being used by the opposing player, the pointers 5D registering independently for each player.

Upon the ball 4 being struck by the player the cord 3 unwinds and rotates the drum 2 which in so doing winds up spring I through the ratchet 3 and pin M which are kept in engagement by the spring 26.

At the same time, slider I9 is rotated and, as the result of the engagement of pin 48 in worm groove 4 la in the contact disc H, the slider travels across the face of disc |1. Spring I immediately begins to unwind thereby rotating gear wheels 8 and H! which in turn drive governor 9, thus causing the disc 3| to close the switch 38 to the solenoid 56. This moves the solenoid core pin 63 into engagement with the plate 6| and holds it in position until the governor returns to rest. At the same time spring I also rotates the contact disc H which is attached to the bush I5 having the effect of making and breaking contact at H, I8 which operates magnet 42. The magnet drives the ratchet wheel 45 through the lever 44 and pawl 43 thereby causing the movement and travel of one chain 48, the distance of such travel depending on the number of contacts made by contact maker |8on disc due to the amount of tension put on the spring 1 as the result of the blow on the ball 4.

In the path of travel of the tail of pointer 58 is the bunker device G, and as this tail passes thereover, it depresses the moving arm 58 and, if the blow on the ball is suflicient to carry pointer 50 over and past the switch arm 59a, switch 59 is opened, but owing to the switch 51 being closed, the pointer 50 continues to travel until spring '5 is completely unwound.

Should however spring 1 have spent itself when pointer 50 is still depressing the moving arm 58,

then, on the governor 9 breaking the contact of switch 38, solenoid pin 63 drops out of the notch 82 allowing the plate 6| to be swung to one side by spring 10 which is attached to moving arm 58 and plate 6| bringing a different notch 62 in line 5 with solenoid pin 63.

The effect of this movement of the plate 6| is to open switch 51, and when the next stroke is taken by the player solenoid pin 63 again locks plate 6| but in a new position and with switch 5! open so that, when pointer 50 passes over' switch arm 58, it opens switch 59 which breaks the circuit feeding magnets 42 and chain 48 ceases to travel.

The player can however avoid the stopping of 15 the travel of chain 48 by lifting his ball 4 when taking his stroke, the effect of which is to lift moving arm 3|a thereby rotating rod 39a by means of the cam part of arm 3|a and lifting lever 38 to which rod 39a is attached, which in its turn 20 rotates rod 68 and so through cranks 69a and 68a and abutment 69 moves plate 6| and lowers moving arm 58, and if the lift is sufficient then the effectis to lower switch arm 59a clear of pointer 50.

The lowering of switch arm 59a actually takes place prior to switch 30 being closed by the governor 9. It will be seen therefore that failure on the part of the player to lift the ball sufliciently means that the apparatus does not function.

An additional effect of lifting moving arm 3|a is the depressing of spring 39 through lever 38 which brakes the drum 2 and restricts the rotation of drum 2 according to the pressure of the brake or angle of the lift of the ball, and in its 35 turn restricting the turns on the spring 1 and so shortens the travel of the chain 48.

In a similar way a stroke being played to the right or left has the effect of rotating fork 34, which in its turn operates brake rod 38a to brake the drum 2 and so restrict the travel of chain 48 and penalize the player for an improperly played shot.

On rollers 5| is placed a picture or sketch J of the course, as shown on Fig. 9, having a scale 15 in yards, such course being divided into vertical sections '16 and also horizontally, and in the resultant sections 11 are the names of various golf clubs. The pointer 50 travels along this course and indicates to the player the travel of the ball resulting from his stroke.

The lateral movement of arm 3|a also has the effect of operating indicators 12 by contact maker 35 making contact with contacts 36, and as the indicators are colored to correspond with the vertical sections of the course, pointer 58 indicates to the player the club he has to use for his next stroke. If the ball is struck wide so that contact maker 35 fails to make contact with 36, then the circuit is broken and chain 48 ceases to travel.

On the course J are represented bunkers 18 which have their height indicated thereon and before commencing to play the knob 66 is loosened and the bunker mechanism G moved along in slot 53 until the switch arm 59 is in line with the bunker 18 is shown in the picture, and the height of moving arm 58 is adjusted by rotating pointer 67 when knob 66 is tightened.

Kit is desired to indicate the course on a screen by means of a cinematograph machine or to use a moving screen or moving lights on a fixed sceneric screen, the driving mechanism therefor is connected to the terminals 8| so that it is in operation only while contact disc I! is rotating, 75

consequently the travel of the film or movement of screen or scenery is in relation to the blow on the ball.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for playing a game simulating golf comprising a ball anchored to a cord wound upon a drum, means for rewinding the cord upon the drum after a stroke has been made, a spring mechanism adapted to betensioned by the said drum, an indicator for recording and showing the cumulative progress of the game, anda magnetic driving gear for actuating the said indicator, the said driving gear being controlled by a contact device driven by the spring mechanism whereby the indicator is moved to an extent varying with the tension placed upon the -spring mechanism. 7

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said indicator comprises a pointer moving over a stationary screen, the said pointer being actuated by ratchet and pawl mechanism operated by the magnetic driving gear.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for holding frictionally the ball anchoring cord when it is being rewound on the drum for the purpose of ensuring correct registration of the distance travelled by the ball when struck.

4. Game apparatus of the class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize said motor according to the degree of impact and the direction of a stroke by a player, said means including a flexible draw element, a movable arm through which the element passes and a device operable through a deflection of the movable arm, due to an incorrectly directed stroke, to retard energization of said motor, and indicator means operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

5. Game apparatus of the class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize said motor according to the degree of impact and the direction of a stroke by a player, said means including a flexible draw element, a movable arm through which the element passes, a bracket mounted on a perpendicular axis and carrying said arm, cooperating contacts controlled through the turning of the bracket, a device operable through the turning of said arm and bracket due to an incorrectly directed stroke, to retard energization of the motor, and indicator means operable automatically through deenergization of said motor and having an operating circuit including the aforesaid contacts, and a switch in said circuit closable through the deenergization of said motor.

6. Game apparatus of the class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize said motor according to the degree of impact and the direction of a stroke by a player, said means including a flexible draw element, a movable arm through which the element passes, a bracket mounted on a perpendicular axis and carrying said arm, cooperating contacts controlled through the turning of the bracket, a device operable through the turning of said arm and bracket due to an incorrectly directed stroke, to retard energization of the motor, and indicator means operable automatically through deenergization of 5 said motor and having an operating circuit including the aforesaid contacts, a switch in said circuit, and governor means operable to close said switch as said motor is de-energized.

'7. Game apparatus of the class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize said motor in proportion to the degree of impact, said means including a flexible draw element, a movable arm through which the element passes, a slidable member adapted to be projected by movement of-the arm, a lever operable by said member, bunker means controlled by said lever, and indicator means affected by said bunker means operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

8. Game apparatus of the class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize said motor in proportion to the degree of impact, said means including a flexible draw element, a pivoted arm through which the element passes, said arm having a cam portion, a member movable by said cam portion, a lever operable by said member, bunker means controlled by said lever, and indicator means affected by said bunker means operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

9. Game apparatus of the class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize said motor in proportion to the degree of impact, 'said means including a flexible draw element, a pivoted arm through which the element passes, a member engaged with the arm and movable in a direction transverse to and by the arm, a device operable by said member to retard energization of said motor, and indicator means operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

10. Game apparatus ofthe class described having a motor, means operable by impact to variably energize the motor in proportion to the degree of impact, said means including a flexible draw element, a pivoted bracket, an arm through which the draw element passes pivoted on the bracket at an angle to the pivotal axis of the bracket, a member slidable in the bracket engaged by said arm, mechanism to retard energization of the motor operable through the movement of the slidable member and by the pivotal movement of the bracket, and indicator means operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

11. Game apparatus of the class described having a shaft adapted for rotation, a spring motor, a winding drum rotatable and slidable on said shaft, a connection releasably coupling the drum and shaft, means operable by impact to variably turn said drum to rotate said shaft to tension the spring motor in proportion to the degree of impact including a flexible draw member wound on said drum, a movable 'arm through which the member passes, a braking device to retard winding of the drum operable against the drum through deflection of the arm incidental to an impact, and indicator means controlled by said shaft and operable automatically through deenergization'of said motor.

12. Game apparatus of the class described having a shaft adapted for rotation, a spring motor, a winding drum rotatable and slidable on said shaft, a ratchet and pin connection for the drum and shaft, spring means permitting release of said connectiommeans operable by impact to variably turn said drum to rotate said shaft to tension the spring motor in proportion .to the degree of impact including a flexible draw member wound on said drumpa movable arm through which the member passes, a braking device to retard winding of the drum operable against the drum through deflection of the arm incidental to an impact, a winding handle for said drum normally disengaged therewith through the action of said spring means, and indicator means controlled by said shaft and operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

13. Game apparatus of the class described having a shaft adapted for rotation, a spring motor, a winding drum rotatable and slidable on said shaft, a connection releasably coupling the drum and shaft, means operable by impact to variably turn said drum to rotate said shaft to tension the spring motor in proportion to the degree of impact including a flexible draw mem ber wound on said drum, a movable arm through which the member passes, a braking device to retard winding of the drum operable against the drum through deflection of the arm incidental to an impact, means operable to rewind the draw member on the drum, a device operable through application of the last mentioned means to insure accurate winding of the draw member on the drum, and indicator means controlled by said shaft and operable automatically through deenergization of said motor.

14. Game apparatus of the class described having a shaft adapted for rotation, a spring motor, a winding drum rotatable and slidable on said shaft, a connection releasably coupling the drum and shaft, means operable by impact to variably turn said drum to rotate said shaft to tension the spring motor in proportion to the degree of impact including a flexible draw member wound on said drum, a movable arm through which the member passes, a braking device to retard winding of the drum operable against the drum through deflection of the arm incidental to an impact, a pin operable through deflection of said arm in one direction, a lever operable by said pin, and indicator means under joint control of said shaft and said lever.

15. Game apparatus of the class described having a shaft adapted for rotation, a spring motor, a winding drum rotatable and slidable on said shaft, a connection releasably coupling the drum and shaft, means operable by impact to variably turn said drum to. rotate said shaft to tension thespring motor in proportion to the degree of impact including a flexible draw member wound on said drum, a movable arm through which the member passes, a braking device to retard winding of the drum operable against the drum through deflection of the arm incidental to an impact, a disk driven by said shaft, indicator means having a controlling electric circuit, a main switch in said circuit controlled by said shaft, and means operable to impart movement to said indicator means associated with said circuit having contacts on said disk and a movable contact coacting with said contacts.

16. Game apparatus of the class described having a shaft adapted for rotation, a spring motor,

a winding drum rotatable and slidable on said shaft, a connection releasably coupling the drum and shaft, means operable by impact to variably turn said drum to rotate said shaft to tension the spring motor in proportion to the degree of impact including a flexible draw member wound on said drum, a movable arm through which the member passes, a braking device to retard winding of the drum operable against the drum through deflection of the arm incidental to an impact, a disk driven by said shaft, indicator means having a controlling electric circuit, a main switch in said circuit controlled by said shaft, and means-operable to impart movement to said indicator means associated with said circuit having contacts on said disk and a movable contact coacting with said contacts, said disk having a spiral groove and said contacts being arranged in a spiral path, and a holder for said contact member having a projection disposed and movable in said groove.

17. Game apparatus having a movable indicator mechanism, a movable plate, skill-controlled means operable electrically to hold said plate in a projected-position, an arm on said plate and in the said projected position being disposed in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism, a switch on said arm in circuit with said means, said switch according to the position of the plate and arm being in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism so as to be opened by said mechanism.

18. Game apparatus having a movable indicator mechanism, a movable plate, skill-com trolled means operable electrically to hold said plate in a projected position, an arm pivoted on said plate, means coacting with said arm to vary the position thereof with respect to the plate, said arm in the projected position of the plate being disposed in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism, a switch on said arm in circuit with said means, said switch according to the position of the plate and arm being. in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism so as to be opened by said mechanism.

19. Game apparatus having a movable indicator mechanism, a movable plate, skill-controlled means operable electrically to hold said plate in a plurality of projected positions, an arm on said plate and in the said projected position being disposed in the path of indicating movement-of said mechanism, a switch on said arm in circuit with said means, said switch according to the position of the plate and arm being in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism so as to be opened by said mechanism, and a switch affecting the operation of the said means and first mentioned switch, closed by the plate in one position thereof.

20. Game apparatus having a movable indicator mechanism, a movable plate, skill-controlled means operable electrically to hold said plate in a projected position, an arm on said plate and in the said projected position being disposed in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism, a switch on said arm in circuit with said means, said switch according to the position of the plate and arm being in the path of indicating movement of said mechanism so as to be opened by said mechanism, and a skillcontrolled rod operable to retract the plate.

21. An apparatus for playing a game simulating golf and adapted to afford an indication of the cumulative progress of the game, comprising, a rotatable drum, a cord adapted to be wound on said drum, 2. ball anchored to said cord, an indicator adapted to be moved in successive cumulative steps, a spring adapted to be tensioned by rotation of the drum when the ball is struck and the cord unwound, and means driven by said tensioned spring to control the movement of the indicator.

LOUIS JOHN SIMON. 

